How long do cats sleep in a day?

If you are curious about how long cats sleep for, how much sleep your kitty actually needs, if you should be concerned that they are sleeping too much, and whether this differs between indoor and outdoor cats, we’ve got some useful answers below – along with some fascinating feline revelations about cat napping and even dreaming.

How many hours a day do cats sleep?

Cats sleep for between 12 to 16 hours a day, making 14 hours the average amount of sleep. Like most creatures, humans included, there is no hard and fast rule, and the amount of sleep your cat needs will depend on their age, breed, activity level and individual personality. A kitten, older cat or one that really likes to sleep, for example, may need as much as 20 hours sleep a day. Astonishingly, your feline friend could be taking a cat nap for over 80% of their time.

How long does an indoor cat sleep?

Indoor cats sleep for longer than outdoor cats because of a more sedentary lifestyle whereby they don’t use up the mental and physical energy of hunting. As house cats live solely in the comfort of your home, they won’t have to worry about being preyed upon either as they are at the top of the food chain and therefore are happy to sleep for hours on end.  

Why do cats sleep so much?

The primal instinct of cats tells them they need to sleep and conserve their energy, so that they can be at the height of their senses when they stalk and catch their prey. Like their feral predecessors and larger family members such as lions, their long sleeping habits are primarily designed to support hunting. Cats may also sleep for longer during colder months due to their natural circadian rhythm. In the wild, winter is harsher and the need to minimise energy loss, using a mild kind of hibernation called torpor that lowers body temperature and metabolism, is much greater. 

Should I let my cat sleep all day?

Sleeping for most of the hours in the day is part of a normal cat’s circular sleep, hunt, eat, groom and sleep again pattern. And with an average of 14 hours sleep to fit in, there’s bound to be some lengthy cat naps taking place. The real question is how much sleep cats need, and if they are sleeping more than usual which could be a sign of them needing more play stimulation during the day. See our article on ‘How to get a cat to like you?’ for tips on creating playful moments for your cat.

Should I be worried if my cat’s sleeping habits change?

Besides your cat needing more playtime during daytime hours, a longer sleeping pattern could be due to a host of different medical reasons such as being overweight, an infection, kidney disease, arthritis in an older cat, or even depression. If in doubt, don’t hesitate to talk to your vet.       

When do cats sleep?

It is a myth that cats sleep every hour in the day and are out all night. They are generally most active at dawn and at dusk when prey is more plentiful. They are a crepuscular species which means that they nap intermittently throughout a 24-hour period, either side of these hunting times.  It’s perfectly okay for them to be awake and active during daylight hours and cuddled up asleep in front of the TV at night though.

Their sleeping times will also be largely impacted by their access to the outside. Many cat owners prefer to keep their cats inside at night, so that they are safe from hazards like traffic in the dark. This will likely result in them spending more time sleeping throughout the night than a cat who is free to roam outside in these hours. The same goes for cats that have been raised to stay indoors at all times. Read more on how to help your kitten sleep through the night.

What is a cat nap?

A cat needs deep sleep for 25% of the time but 75% is a lighter snooze known as a ‘cat nap’. Your cat may appear to be sleeping but it is more likely to be a nap that’s turned down the volume just enough for them to get the most beneficial rest and sleep they need. They’ll still be on alert though and will instantly spring into action when there is movement, especially of the mouse variety. Cat naps last between 15-30 minutes while a deep sleep only lasts for around 5 minutes, after which your cat will revert to napping. Cat naps were seen as such a good idea in ancient Egypt that the inhabitants even copied the habit of their feline companions, setting a trend that’s still popular thousands of years later.               

Do cats dream?

Cats do dream and twitching whiskers or moving paws are a sign that their brains are processing an exciting moment from their day in their dream such as climbing, chasing and catching prey. According to Dr Nicholas Dodman in his book ‘Pets on the Couch’ your cat is, just like a human, most likely to dream when they are in their REM (Rapid Eye Movement) cycle of sleep. And as they have up to three times the amount of REM as us, that’s a lot of dream time. In recalling their activities, it’s also likely that they will be dreaming about you feeding, stroking or playing with them too. Now that’s a sweet dream.

It is little wonder that the TV show Animal Planet has identified cats as ‘one of the top sleepers in the Animal Kingdom’ and now we understand why it’s so beneficial, perhaps we should join them more often. With 40 feline winks keeping energy and brainpower topped up, what’s cool for cats could be good for us too.

Appreciating your cat's sleeping habits is only part of getting closer to your feline friend. Why not read more about looking after their needs and ‘How to care for a cat’.